Shipping box



Nov. 14, 1939. A F E j 2 2,180,229

SHIPPING BOX Filed Sept. 15, 1957 Patented Nov. 14, 1939 umreo srs 2. Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in shipping boxes and has particular reference to a box or crate wherein the same may be so divided as to form trays for displaying the commodity within the box.

A further object is to produce a device of this character which has all the advantages of an ordinary box, one which is economical to manufacture, simple to use, and neat in appearance.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a modified form of my box;

Fig. 3 is a further modified form;

Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the box of Fig. 3 may be opened;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the box of Fig. 1 may be opened;

Fig. 7 illustrates the manner in which the box of Fig. 2 may be opened; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary detailed views, showing different forms of sliding joints.

There are many commodities which are shipped in crates or boxes wherein it is desired to display the commodity without removing the same from the box.

Applicant has, therefore, devised a box which will be guided substantially crosswise of its depth in such a manner that the box will form two tray portions when the upper portion is inverted.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the letter A designates the upper portion of the box; the letter B, the lower portion of the box. The lower portion of the box is formed with a substantially rectangular bottom I, having vertically disposed sides 8, and end pieces 9. The ends 9 extend substantially above the side pieces 8 and are formed with grooves in the inner faces thereof in the portion which projects above the said sides. The upper portion of the box is formed of a top I2, having the same size and shape as the bottom i and including depending, sides l3, and end pieces M. The end pieces M are formed with a groove in their outer faces which slidably receive the grooves in the end pieces 9 of the bottom portion A, the sides i3 extend beyond the end M in contiguous relation to the lower side pieces 8 and in a manner to abut the lower ends 9 to normally prevent the top portion A from being slidably displaced with respect to the lower portion B.

In opening the box it is merely necessary to take off one of the side pieces l3 and then to slide the top portion A to one side, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The side pieces I3 may then be renailed on the top portion, and a tray will thus be formed when the same is inverted.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, the construction is identical, with the exception that I break the sections apart along the dotted lines by inserting a prong tool in the openings it. The manner in which the parts separate is illustrated in Fig. '7.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, I break the side piece along the dotted line and then slide the parts apart after removing the upper portion of the broken side piece. Fig. 4. It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A box comprising a rectangular bottom member, vertically disposed side pieces positioned along the'longitudinal edges of the said bottom. vertically disposed end pieces positioned along transverse edges of the bottom and with the top edge thereof projecting above the said side pieces and formed with grooves in the inner face of the upwardly extending portion, a cover member having the same size and shape as the said bottom member, depending end pieces carried by the said cover and formed with rib elements adapted to be slidably received in the grooves of the said first-mentioned end pieces, and depending side pieces carried by the cover the lower edge of which extends beyond the second-mentioned end pieces and in abutting relation to the upwardly extending portions of the first-mentioned end pieces.

2. The combination of a box including a bottom plate, having vertically-disposed sides, and end pieces the upper edges of which extend in a plane above the said sides and have grooves in the portion thereabove, with a cover plate having the same size and shape as the said bottom plate and formed with depending end piecesthe free edges of which include rib elements adapted to be slidably received in the grooves of the said box ends, and depending side pieces extending in contiguous relation to the said box sides and abutting the upwardly extending portion of the said box ends.

STUART A. FRAKES.

This is illustrated in 

